YOU COULD HAVE A HERNIATED DISC WITHOUT EVEN REALIZING IT

Even if you dont know exactly what a herniated disc is, it just sounds like something youd want to avoid. That makes perfect sense, because this health issue can be pretty freaking painful[1]but in a weird twist, sometimes a herniated disc doesnt hurt at all.

The discs in your back are rubbery cushions in between your spinal vertebrae[2] (interlocking bones). A disc acts like a shock absorber for daily living, cushioning your spine against damage from the repetitive impact of walking and running, Neel Anand[3], M.D., professor of orthopaedic surgery and director of spine trauma at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles, tells SELF. These discs are kind of like jelly donuts in that they have softer centers and harder exteriors. If one becomes herniated, that means the soft inner portion is pushing through a tear in the outer part, which can lead to problems like pain[4], numbness, and weakness. But you can actually ...